Wednesday, May 30, 2007 Partner’s Cup games deferred
THE supposed second helping of the Partner’s Cup Basketball Tournament, dubbed the Partner’s Cup Reinforced, is being put off until further notice.
The tournament, which was supposed to be a sequel to the staggering success of the semi-commercial league slated after the elections, is shelved because of tight schedule.
“The schedule for our target playdate was too soon. We do not want a half-baked preparation, so we decided to just move it indefinitely,” said Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy.
Tiukinhoy said they also do not want to jeopardize the good name and relations they have built with their corporate sponsors.
“They (corporate partners) were very much satisfied with the Partners Cup.
We want to keep them satisfied. Otherwise, bisan mutagam lang atong mga sponsors and dili na ta kausab,” (…our sponsors might be slighted, they’d be turned off…) said Tiukinhoy.
Tiukinoy said the second edition will be added to the Cesafi calendar and will be held, either in December or March after the regular Cesafi season.
The Partner’s Cup is an endeavor by Tiukinhoy and Cesafi pillars Atty. Baldomero Estenzo and president Oscar Tuazon, to fill the lull in between seasons. Unlike the past, collegiate basketball teams had an avenue for competition instead of being idle after the Cesafi events.
Corporate sponsors are partnered with a team through drawing of lots. Instead of the school spending for their varsity teams, it is their partners that shoulder the expenses from uniforms to game allowances.
The regular season opens in July, where officials have more tricks up their sleeves. Officials are developing a different opening ceremony that will ultimately take away the notion that Cesafi is just for basketball competition, and where the other sporting events will be highlighted. (MCB)
